2025INTRODUCTION

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Chubu University, home to a number of internationally-renowned researchers, is spearheading cutting-edge research and leading the future of humanity.Research Topic Highlights (Advanced Research)03 e Peptide Research Center (Director: Hisashi Yamamoto) is developing technology to synthesize peptide molecules—fragments of proteins—at exceptionally low cost. Peptides are about halfway between the size of small molecules used in oral drugs and large molecules used in antibody-based drugs administered by injection. ey are expected to become a completely new class of pharmaceuticals, oering high therapeutic ecacy by targeting only diseased cells, being orally administrable, and causing minimal side eects. However, due to the extremely high cost of synthesis, their use in pharmaceuticals is currently limited. e Center aims to enable the low-cost mass production of peptides, thereby contributing to the extension of healthy life expectancy.Pioneering the development of groundbreakingmolecularly-targeted drugs- Innovative peptide synthesisDirector of the PeptideResearch CenterHisashi YamamotoSenior Research Professor03 Articial Intelligence (AI) is a key research focus at Chubu University. Professor Hironobu Fujiyoshi of the Department of Articial Intelligence and Robotics, College of Science and Engineering; Professor Takayoshi Yamashita of the Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering; and Senior Assistant Professor Tsubasa Hirakawa of the Center for Mathematical Science and Articial Intelligence are conducting research on AI that evolves in collaboration with humans. One notable example is the development of an educational application that leverages AI systems enhanced with expert knowledge—from doctors, skilled technicians, and other professionals. is application enables learners to understand the reasoning behind AI’s decisions. As a result, medical students and residents can be trained to identify diseases from patient images, new engineers can learn to detect defective parts, and agricultural workers can assess crop conditions or diagnose plant diseases. is technology is expected to have wide-ranging applications in educational settings across various industries.Promoting Research to Support Society with AI– AI that Evolves Together with HumansDepartment of ArticialIntelligence and RoboticsHironobu FujiyoshiProfessor03 e Center for Muon Science and Technology conducts cutting-edge research on muons, which are subatomic particles that are approximately 200 times heavier than electrons. Muon-catalyzed fusion is being explored as a next-generation energy source, while cosmic ray muons are being studied for their potential in disaster prevention and mitigation. By turning muon technologies into real-world solutions, the center aims to contribute to solving global challenges.Tackling energy and disaster mitigation challenges- Applications of muonsCenter for MuonScience and TechnologyShinji OkadaProfessor03 e International Digital Earth Applied Science Research Center (Director: Hiromichi Fukui) is developing technologies for collecting, processing, and forecasting spatio-temporal information from satellites, aircra, drones, and various sensors. e Center is currently working to realize the rich sustainability of regional communities through the societal implementation of Green Transformation (GX) technologies, including the construction of a Digital Twin (a digital replica and forecasting simulator that models nature, ecosystems, and society) and its application to climate change adaptation and disaster prevention and mitigation.Tackling climate change and complex disasters- Digital earth (comprehensive spatial information infrastructure)Director of the InternationalDigital Earth Applied ScienceResearch CenterHiromichi FukuiProfessor14